#THE LIVE-STOCK IMPORTATION ACT, 1898 
_________ 

##ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
_________ 

###SECTIONS 

1. Short title and local extent.
2. Definitions. 
3. Power to regulate importation of live-stock. 
3A. Power to regulate Importation of live-stock products. 
4. Power of State Government to make rules. 
5. Protection to persons acting under Act. 
 
 
 


#THE LIVE-STOCK IMPORTATION ACT, 1898 

##ACT NO. 9 OF 1898

[12th August, 1898] 

An Act to make better provision for the regulation of the importation of livestock and live-
stock products. 

WHEREAS  it  is  expedient  to  make  better  provision  for  the  regulation  of  the  importation  or  live-
stock  which  is  liable  to  be  affected  by  infectious  or  contagious  disorders;  It  is  hereby  enacted  as 
follows: — 

1. **Short title and local extent.**—(1) This Act may be called the Live-stock Importation Act, 1898. 

(2) It extends to the whole of India;

2. **Definitions.**—In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,— 

(a) the  expression  “infectious  or  contagious  disorders”  includes  tick-pest,  anthrax,  glanders, 
farcy, scabies  and  any  other  disease  or  disorder  which  may  be  specified  by  the  Central 
Government by notification in the Official Gazette; and 

(b) “live-stock”  includes  horses,  kine,  camels,  sheep  and  any  other  animal  which  may  be 
specified by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette ; 

(c) “import” means the bringing or taking, by sea, land or air into India.

(d) “live-stock products” include meat and meat products of all kinds includ­ing fresh, chilled 
and frozen meat, tissue, organs of poultry, pig, sheep, goat; egg and egg powder, milk and  milk 
products; bovine, ovine and caprine, embryos, ova, semen; pet food products of animal origin and 
any other animal product which may be specified by the Central Government by notification in the 
Official Gazette.

3. **Power to regulate importation of live-stock.**—(1)  The  Central  Government  may,  by 
notification in the Official Gazette, regulate, restrict or prohibit, in such manner and to such extent as 
it may think fit, the import, into India or any specified place therein, of any livestock which may 
be liable to be affected by infectious or contagious disorders, and of any fodder, dung, stable-litter, 
clothing harness or fittings appertaining to live-stock or that may have been in contact therewith. 

(2) A notification issued under sub-section (1) or under section 3A shall operate as if it has been 
issued  under  section  11  of  the  Customs  Act,  1962  (52  of  1962)  and  the  officers  of  the  customs  at 
every port, airport, Inland Container Depot and Land Customs Station shall have the same powers in 
respect of any live-stock or live stock product or thing with regard to the importation of which such a 
notification has been issued and the vessel, aircraft, vehicle and other mode of conveyance containing 
the  same,  as  they  have  for  the  time  being  in  respect  of  any  article  the  importation  of  which  is 
regulated, restricted or prohibited by the law relating to customs and the vessel, aircraft, vehicle and 
other  mode  of  conveyance  containing  the  same;  and  the  enactments  for  the  time  being  in  force 
relating to customs or any such article or vessel, aircraft, vehicle and other mode of conveyance shall 
apply accordingly.

3A. **Power to regulate Importation of live-stock products.** —The Central Government may, 
by notification in the Official Gazette, regulate, restrict or prohibit in such manner and to such extent 
as it may think fit, the import into the territories to which this Act extends, of any live-stock product, 
which may be liable to affect human or animal health.

4. **Power for State Government to make rules.**—(1) The State Government may make rules 
for the detention, inspection, disinfection of destruction of imported live-stock, and of fodder, dung, 
stable-litter, clothing harness or fittings appertaining to imported live-stock or that may have been in 
contact therewith and for regulating the powers and duties of the officers whom it may appoint in this 
behalf. 

(2) In making any rule under this section the State Government may direct that a breach thereof 
shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees. 

5. **Protection to persons acting under Act.**—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall 
lie against any person for anything in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.